Residents to bid for share of £500,000 in new community fund to improve neighbourhoods

Residents in Trafford will soon get the chance to bid for a share of £500,000 towards community projects through a new fund set up to help improve neighbourhoods across the North West and East Midlands.

To mark its first anniversary on 3 April 2019, Jigsaw Homes Group will launch its new Jigsaw Foundation fund which also allows tenants to vote on where they would like some of the money to be spent.

Jigsaw, which owns c34,000 homes, is encouraging bids from a range of different applicants across its communities including local or charity projects, resident groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and partner agencies.

Jigsaw Homes Group formed on 3 April 2018 following the merger of New Charter Group and Adactus Housing Group and Jigsaw Foundation replaces neighbourhood funds run by the two former organisations.

Sale United Powerchair Football

Community projects to benefit from funding in the past include Sale United’s Powerchair Football which helps children and adults with severe physical difficulties to play competitive sport.

Money has gone towards portable hoists, specialist sports equipment and supported players to take part in the Wheelchair Football Association Premiership league and Midlands Regional Premier League.

Helen Musson, from Sale United PFC said: “We are very grateful for the funding as it has helped to provide the equipment for the players to train as well as the fees for players to compete in national leagues. This has helped the confidence and self-esteem of all the young people who have taken part.”

Other projects to receive funding include local theatres, school workshops, sports activities, dementia cafes, social enterprise start-ups and work clubs.

Applications to Jigsaw Foundation must demonstrate that their projects make a difference to people’s lives and communities either by improving health, wellbeing and loneliness, employment or training, the environment, financial and digital inclusion or supporting people to sustain their tenancies. (Full criteria here).

Tenants who have registered to the landlord’s Jigsaw Rewards tenant feedback system will be surveyed on applications of up to £25,000. Bids in excess of this will be decided on by Jigsaw’s executive team.

£50,000 from the Jigsaw Foundation programme has also been set aside a special ‘hardship fund’ to support people in immediate financial difficulty with applications made via internal and agency referrals only.

Emma Wilson, Group Director of Neighbourhoods at Jigsaw Homes Group said: “Jigsaw Foundation confirms our continued investment in all our communities and we look forward to launching this fund on our upcoming first birthday to support projects close to people’s hearts that have a positive impact in our neighbourhoods.”

Applications open on Jigsaw’s first anniversary on 3 April 2019. Application forms can be downloaded in advance of the launch date here but entries must not be submitted before 3 April.